WALTHAM – Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge made it clear on Monday afternoon that the team very much wants to have restricted free agent Avery Bradley back in the fold next season.

By Scott SouzaDaily News staff

WALTHAM – Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge made it clear on Monday afternoon that the team very much wants to have restricted free agent Avery Bradley back in the fold next season.

The Celtics officially extended a $3.6-million qualifying offer to the 23-year-old shooting guard Monday morning –giving them the right to match any offer he receives as a restricted free agent – with Ainge saying after the press conference to introduce draft picks Marcus Smart and James Young that the Smart selection does not negatively influence Bradley’s future in Boston in any way.

“I think Avery could be a very key player in us winning the championship,” Ainge said. “He does things that other players can’t do. His shooting continues to improve. We have all see in the past his terrific defensive abilities. I think he’s a big part of us.”

There was much immediate speculation upon Smart’s selection at No. 6 Thursday night that it could mean the beginning of the end for four-time All-Star and team captain Rajon Rondo’s time in Boston. But the pick could have also been insurance in the event that the feisty, yet somewhat injury prone, Bradley received an offer that went beyond what the Celtics would be willing to match.

But Ainge and Celtics coach Brad Stevens both shot down any Rondo implications with the pick Thursday, with Ainge going further on Monday to say that he can see Rondo and Smart in a four-guard rotation with Bradley and Phil Pressey next season.

“Avery’s a big part of our future,” Ainge said. “I think that you, obviously, need three guards who are going to play a significant amount of minutes.

“We also think Marcus can play with Phil Pressey. Phil can play with Rondo. Phil can play with Avery. Because of the versatility of Rondo and Marcus, that probably allows that.”

Ainge indicated the team could be looking to use more three-guard lineups in a modified version of “small ball” next year as well.

“There are a lot of guys in our league who are small forwards – especially bench small forwards – who are 6-foot-5, basically wing players who are two guards,” Ainge said. “I think there’s a time and a place in the game where you could see three guards playing together.

“You’ve seen it with other teams. I see those guys being able to play very well together and complement each other.”

The odd man out in this scenarios could be Jerryd Bayless, who repeatedly expressed his desire to return to Boston next year, but is a free agent as of July 1.

The Celtics also have Chris Babb and Chris Johnson as guards/small forwards on the roster from last year’s team heading to the Orlando Summer League this weekend after three days of workouts in Waltham.

Scott Souza covers the Boston Celtics for the MetroWest Daily News and GateHouse Media. He can be reached at 781-398-8006 or ssouza@wickedlocal.com. Follow him on Twitter @scott_souza.

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